Rural Forestry

Nebrasksa Forest Service foresters are strategically located across the state to provide technical forestry services to Nebraska landowners.

Placeholder image with NFS logo

Forest Legacy Program

A national program administered by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry in partnership with participating states.
It addresses privately-owned forestlands that face threats to conversion to non-forest use by urbanization, rural residential development, parcelization and other development measures.

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Rural Forestry Resources

A pine forest looking throug a clearing.

Financial Assistance & Grants

There are several opportunities available for financial assistance with the Nebraska Forest Service. Each grant has its own unique requirements but all will include an element of cost-sharing of the project.

A coniferous wind break.

Windbreak Maintainance & Renovation

Windbreaks are integral parts of many Nebraska farming and ranching operations. They protect man, animals, crops and buildings from cold winter winds, hot summer winds, and deep snows. Windbreaks prevent wind erosion and provide wildlife habitat.

Looking up at the canompy of a large oak tree.

Schedule a Consultation

As the old saying goes, "the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago." Establish a plan for your property by speaking with one of our many foresters stationed around the state.

NFS Rural Forestry Personnell

Rachel Allison

Western Area Forester
WCREC. 402 West State Farm Rd. North Platte, NE. 69101
Office Phone: 
402-278-8272
Email: 
rachel.allison@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Beth Arens

Eastern Area Forester
Buffalo County Extension Office. 3807 N Ave. Kearney, NE. 68847
Office Phone: 
402-450-0944
Email: 
barens2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Pam Bergstrom

National Technicial Assistance Agroforester
101A Forestry Hall. Lincoln, NE. 68583.
Office Phone: 
402-472-6603
Cell Phone: 
402-525-8146
Email: 
pbergstrom2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Jason Clark

Conservation Forester
24836 S Lonestar Rd. North Platte, NE. 69101
Office Phone: 
402-480-3231
Email: 
jclark25@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Mark Frickel

Wildland Urban Interface Forester
24836 S Lonestar Rd. North Platte, NE. 69101
Office Phone: 
402-314-4373
Email: 
mfrickel2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Fire
  • Rural Forestry

Luke Gazak

Conservation Forester
Upper Niobrara White-NRD. 430 E. 2nd, Chadron, NE. 69337
Office Phone: 
919-744-9427
Email: 
lgazak2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Bryce Gerlach

Forest Mgmt/Rural Forestry
Upper Niobrara White-NRD. 431 E. 2nd . Chadron, NE. 69337
Office Phone: 
308-360-1071
Email: 
bgerlach5@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Steve Karloff

District Forester
Papio Missouri River NRD. 8901 S 154th St. Omaha. NE. 68138
Office Phone: 
402-444-6222 x215
Cell Phone: 
402-315-1715
Email: 
skarloff1@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Community Forestry
  • Rural Forestry

Chrissy Land

Western Nebraska Community Forestry Specialist
North Platte NRD. 100547 Airport Road. Scottsbluff, NE. 69361
Office Phone: 
531-510-1932
Email: 
chrissyland@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Community Forestry
  • Rural Forestry

Gregg Lemke

Assistant Conservation Forester
Adams County Extention. 2975 S Baltimore Ave. Hastings, NE. 68901
Office Phone: 
531-893-1707
Email: 
glemke2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Community Forestry
  • Rural Forestry

Aron Lewis

Forest Mgmt/Agroforestry
Lower Loup NRD. 2620 Airport Dr. Ord, NE. 68862
Office Phone: 
308-728-3221
Email: 
aron.lewis@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Fred McCartney

Forest Fuels Management Specialist
Upper Niobrara White NRD. 430 E 2nd St. Chadron, NE. 69337.
Office Phone: 
308-432-8158
Email: 
fmccartney2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Doak H. Nickerson

District Forester
Upper Niobrara White NRD. 430 E 2nd St. Chadron, NE. 69337.
Office Phone: 
308-631-1280
Email: 
hnickerson1@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Jay Seaton

LPS NRD Forester
Lower Loup NRD. 3123 Portia Dr. PO Box 83581. Lincoln, NE. 68501.
Office Phone: 
402-476-2729
Email: 
jseaton2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Community Forestry
  • Rural Forestry

Jason Severe

Forest Mgmt/Rural Forestry
113 N Woodward St. Ste.A. Ainsworth, NE. 69210
Office Phone: 
402-480-5657
Email: 
jsevere2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Kim Slezak

SAF Certified Forester
Fillmore County Ext Ofc. 1340 G Street. Geneva, NE. 68361
Office Phone: 
402-429-6931
Email: 
kslezak2@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Jorden Smith

Wildland Urban Interface Forester
1060 Wilbur St. Blair, NE. 68008
Office Phone: 
402-278-8349
Email: 
jsmith145@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Adam Smith

Forest and Fire Bureau Chief
Papio Missouri River NRD. 8901 S 154th St. Omaha, NE. 68138
Office Phone: 
402-444-6222 x278
Email: 
asmith11@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Fire
  • Rural Forestry
  • Leadership

Rich Woollen

District Forester
Lower Elkhorn NRD. 2620 Airport Drive. Ord, NE. 68862
Office Phone: 
308-728-3221
Email: 
rwoollen1@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry

Chris Wood

Forester
Lower Elkhorn NRD. 1508 Square Turn Blvd. Norfolk, NE. 68701
Office Phone: 
402-309-4721
Email: 
cwood16@unl.edu
Specialization: 
  • Rural Forestry